7 Crucial Things to Do Right After Buying a Car Seat (Most Parents Forget #5!)

So you spent some time researching the best non-toxic car seats for your baby or toddler.

You’ve chosen a car seat that’s perfect for your lifestyle and car, and you know it’s top-of-the-line in terms of safety and usability.

There it is, sitting in its box, just staring at you.

The clock is ticking, either your bump is growing and it’ll soon be go-time, or your baby is getting bigger and you know it’s time to make the switch. 

So what’s a mama to do? There’s a lot to know about your child’s car seat, and we’re going to talk about exactly what to do after you buy a car seat.

Few items impact your child’s safety like a car seat does. And for most families, it’s an item you’ll use daily for the foreseeable future. So let’s get this right!

Read on for my must-dos after buying that car seat to ensure safety, ease of use, and readiness when the time to use it arrives.

1. Read the safety manual

As you know, most items that require assembly or have a safety component to them come with a manual. And if you recently had a baby shower or started to acquire your own baby-related gear, chances are you’ve got a lot of manuals piling up. I know it can be tempting to just dive into the box instead of opening up that little booklet first. But resist!

The car seat manual isn’t one to skip, and it’s one you want to keep track of for future reference, too. First and foremost, hop on the computer with your manual and registration form in hand. You want to register your product right away so that you’ll be notified if any recalls are made.

Once that’s finished, take some time to really read your car seat safety manual from cover to cover. The next tip on this list is to go and do an install/learning session with a CPST, but even that does not take the place of reading the manual!

According to CSFT.org, the most common questions that Car Seat Techs are asked about car seats are:

1. How do I install it?
2. What are the weight and height limits of the seat?
3. How do I wash the cover? 
4. When does the car seat expire?
5. Should I use LATCH or seat belt for installation?

All of these questions can be answered via your manual! Yes, the techs know their stuff and should absolutely check your install/show you proper install, but they can’t be expected to know every nuance of every car seat make and model out there.

TIP: Store the car seat manual in your glove compartment

Keep the car seat manual in the glove compartment of your car. At some point, you’ll undoubtedly need to google something about your car seat. Have it handy in the glove compartment so you always know where it is, and you can refer to it on the go, as needed.

2. See a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST)

Once you’ve read your specific car seat’s manual and have a basic understanding of how it should be installed, properly used, and cared for, it’s time to make an appointment with a CPST.

CPSTs, Child Passenger Safety Technicians, are certified individuals that provide one-on-one education about how to safely install and use your car seat and provide car seat installation inspections.

More often, parents and parents-to-be hear that they should have car seats inspected once they’re installed. However, meeting with a CPST before attempting installation is an excellent opportunity to learn from an expert, ask questions, and ensure safety.

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, you should aim to have an appointment with a CPST 1-2 months prior to your due date. This is because scheduling can be limited, and you want to make sure your car seat is safely installed in the event of an early or pre-term birth.

Your meeting will likely take 20-30 minutes and you can expect:

• To discuss if your car seat is appropriate and safe for the intended age range
• To learn if your car’s seats are positioned appropriately and what seat positions would make the car seat unsafe
• To learn how to install the car seat using the LATCH system and belt in the event of an emergency
• The tech will watch you do an installation to check for understanding
• To discuss follow-up transitions and next steps as your baby grows 
• And likely a whole lot more! These techs can provide a wealth of information

You can find a CPSTs in your community using the NHTSA’s directory. Asking around in local mom groups is also a good idea!

3. Install the car seat

Either during or after you meet with a CPST, it will be time to install the car seat. I like to have the CPST install my car seat and teach me how to do it myself for future reference.

Use your knowledge from your appointment and your manual to ensure the car seat is installed correctly, and that you know how to install it on your own. You can also check your brand’s website to see if they offer installation/use videos, or turn to YouTube. (Just be sure the source is credible.)

I always like to have my car seats installed by a professional. Living in Southern California, a house visit from a trusted CPST costs me $80 for up to two car seats. And it’s worth every penny because I have peace of mind that the car seat is installed correctly.

When turning to your manual or another source for guidance, make sure that the installation guide and advice are specific to the way you are installing the seat. For example, convertible seats being installed rear-facing vs. front-facing will have a different set of steps. Additionally, installation using LATCH vs. the seat belt will also be different.

If you could not schedule a one-on-one with a CPST before installation, at the very least, get your car seat installation inspected! There are often community “safety check” events, or a member on staff at your local fire station or police department who are certified to do inspections. (Note: make sure they are a certified CPST or they will not be qualified to check your car seat installation.)

4. Get familiar with your car seat

Take it for a test run (or two!). Get used to how the buckles work, how to tighten the straps, how to click the car seat in and out of the base (if applicable), and any other bells and whistles.

I’ve seen some new parents use a stuffed animal or baby doll to practice, and I love this idea! You’ll quickly realize what’s tricky or what you need to consult the manual or a video for.

Taking the time to get comfortable with your car seat now will make you far more confident when you’re doing it with your brand-new baby. Your nerves will be running high, so taking the guesswork of the car seat out of the way will be a relief. 

Being a car seat pro when the baby is screaming is something your future self will thank you for.

5. Note the height and weight limits of your car seat

So you’ve done your due diligence on ensuring the car seat is ultra-safe for your little one, but it’s important to keep your car seat safety vigilant as they grow.

You’ll want to learn height and weight limits and requirements for a variety of scenarios, including:

• When to move the buckle the goes between your child’s legs, known as the crotch strap (many models have two positions and the change happens pretty quickly!)
• When to adjust shoulder straps to the higher placement and what constitutes safe shoulder strap placement
• Where the chest clip should sit on your child’s torso (the recommendation changes for rear and front-facing)
• When your child should no longer use an infant seat
• When your child’s seat can be safely switched from rear-facing to front-facing if it’s a convertible seat
• When your child needs to switch to a booster seat
• Should the seat be installed using LATCH or a seat belt? For example, LATCH anchors aren’t meant to be used over a certain weight limit and for some car seats or models of older cars, seat belt installation is a safer method.

6. Keep adjusting the seat as your baby grows

With the list in the previous tip in mind, don’t forget to put those rules into practice! It can be easy for car seat adjustments to slip our minds, but it’s important. The car seat is one item that will get used daily and can save your baby’s life in the event of an accident.

To help you remember to continuously adjust your child’s seat as they grow, keep a little visual list on your fridge or some other place with a list of weight/height limits and other adjustment reminders. 

Another great time to assess your child’s car seat for safety is anytime you clean out/vacuum your car, and after pediatrician appointments when their height and weight is on the brain.

7. A few other points of car seat know-how

So far, we’ve covered everything to do after you buy a car seat to make sure it’s installed safely and ready to go. I also wanted to raise your awareness to a few other car seat/travel-related tips. Especially for new mamas, car seat safety can feel overwhelming! Sometimes you don’t even realize you’re breaking the rules.

So here are a few other must-knows, guidelines, and tips:

• Always make sure your baby or child’s car seat straps are against their body — this means no bulky coats, sweater, blankets or clothing! Use a blanket OVER the straps and buckle to keep your little one warm.
• Don’t use any aftermarket car seat accessories such as head positioners, seat belt extenders, shoulder strap covers, or car seat liners, all of these products can potentially hinder the safety and effectiveness of the car seat.
• Consider a headrest-mounted mirror that will allow you to easily see your rear-facing infant or baby from the driver’s seat.
• If your infant doesn’t do well in the car (my youngest would cry almost nonstop on every car ride for the first several months), try a portable white noise machine for the car. It might be especially effective if you use a white noise machine during bedtime, too.
• Car seats DO have an expiration date! Just something to be aware of if you are planning to use your car seat for another child.
• The middle seat is generally considered the safest spot in your car for a car seat.
• If you plan to fly with your car seat, be sure to check the manual. There is likely a specific section dedicated to proper installation of your car seat on an airplane seat. (Note: read this article on tips for air travel with a baby).

Some additional car seat safety resources:

• National Highway Traffic Safety Association
• Safe Kids Worldwide
• Car Seats for Littles

Keep that little one safe on the road

With these tips, you know just what to do after you buy a car seat. You won’t be caught putting off installation until labor begins or haphazardly installing it and hoping for the best.

You’re going to: 

• Register the product online
• Go through the manual
• Meet with a CPST
• Get your installation inspected
• Keep up with adjustments as your little one grows

Those simple steps will give you the peace of mind you need. Remember, no cargo is more precious than your baby, so keep ‘em safe out there, mama!

If you found this article on car seat safety tips useful, pin it for later!

Now that you’ve finalized your child’s car seat, want more baby gear recommendations?

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